2020 Ford F-150 Starter Cable Fire Risk Recall
Ford is recalling certain 2020 F-150 vehicles because an incorrect attachment nut on the starter motor's battery positive cable can lead to electrical arcing, posing a fire risk. Owners will be notified to have the nut replaced free of charge.
Why this matters
Ford has identified a critical safety issue with certain 2020 F-150 vehicles. An improperly secured battery positive (B+) power supply cable to the starter motor can result in poor electrical conductivity. This condition can generate excessive heat and cause electrical arcing, significantly increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
What's being recalled
This 2020 Ford F-150 recall involves the starter motor assembly. Specifically, an incorrect attachment nut may have been used to secure the battery positive (B+) power supply cable to the starter motor. This defect affects the electrical system, potentially leading to dangerous conditions.
How to check if your vehicle is affected
This recall applies to certain 2020 Ford F-150 trucks. Owners of these vehicles should receive a notification from Ford. To confirm if your specific vehicle is included in this 2020 Ford F-150 recall, you can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 and reference Ford's recall number 20S40. You can also check the NHTSA website using your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Manufacturer's remedy
Ford will notify affected owners about the recall. Dealers will replace the starter motor B+ power supply attachment nut free of charge. The recall remedy began on August 25, 2020, ensuring that this critical component is properly secured to prevent electrical arcing and fire hazards.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Recall ID: 20V467000
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the specific issue with the 2020 Ford F-150 recall?
- The recall is due to an incorrect attachment nut used to secure the battery positive (B+) power supply cable to the starter motor. This can lead to poor electrical conductivity, excess heat, and electrical arcing.
- What are the potential consequences of this issue?
- The electrical arcing caused by the incorrect attachment nut can increase the risk of a vehicle fire, posing a significant safety hazard.
- How will Ford fix the problem?
- Ford dealers will replace the starter motor B+ power supply attachment nut with the correct one, free of charge to the owner. This repair addresses the root cause of the electrical arcing.
- How can I find out if my 2020 Ford F-150 is part of this recall?
- You can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 and refer to recall number 20S40, or visit the NHTSA website and enter your vehicle's VIN to check for open recalls, including this 2020 Ford F-150 recall.
What Ford F-150 owners report
Counted from the records in our database across 46 model years.
- 39,812
- Owner complaints
- 226
- Recalls
- 2,759
- Service bulletins
- 1,679
- Crashes reported
- 2,104
- Fires reported
- 1,496
- Injuries reported
The 2020 model year
742 complaints, the 21st most of 46 model years on file. Owners reported 21 crashes, 4 fires and 18 injuries for this year, which also has 11 recalls on file.
Electrical System, the system this article covers, accounts for 4,362 of 39,812 complaints (11%), including 89 for 2020.
Complaints by model year
| 1997 | 2,758 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2,029 | |
| 2011 | 2,194 | |
| 2012 | 1,784 | |
| 2013 | 2,994 | |
| 2014 | 1,539 | |
| 2015 | 1,746 | |
| 2016 | 2,093 | |
| 2018 | 2,327 | |
| 2020 | 742 |
Most-reported systems
- Power Train — 9,483
- Engine — 4,618
- Electrical System — 4,362
- Service Brakes — 3,838
- Vehicle Speed Control — 2,924
Latest recalls for the 2020 model year
- 26V373000 — Exterior Lighting (Jun 2026)
- 25V442000 — Back Over Prevention (Jun 2025)
- 24V852000 — Equipment (Nov 2024)
Recent owner reports about electrical system
Passenger side and passenger side rear door sensors say the door is a jar even though it’s not. Opened and closed doors numerous times to make the warning message go away.
Read owner complaints →I have noticed that my turn signal lights work sometimes, and sometimes they give me the rapid-fire warning light indicating that one of them is out (front or back).
Complaints are owner reports filed with NHTSA. They are unverified, and counts depend on how many vehicles were sold, so they are not a failure rate.
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